Gross violation of the directives of City Administrator is being witnessed in metropolitan as the illegal make-shift cattle markets of sacrificial animals have been set up in various areas of the city. Essa Nagri, Shah Faisal Town, Chakiwara, North Nazimabad, Sharifabad, Landhi, Banaras, Malir, Manghopir, Surjani, Buffer Zone and Quyomabad are among of the areas where illegal cattle markets for selling sacrificial animals have been established.
Business Recorder learnt that as many as 25 illegal cattle markets have been established in city besides more illegal stalls for sale of sacrificial animals in city are expected in next few days. It is noteworthy that the City Administrator Muhammad Hussain Syed has issued directives on 13 October, 2011, that City District Government Karachi (CDGK) is not allowed to set-up any make-shift cattle market in the jurisdiction of the city, except one, which has been set up at main Super Highway.
But, it has been observed that a make-shift cattle farm is set up at a plot located at main University Road by the name of "Al-Rahim Cattle Farm", in which 35 to 40 sacrificial animals were present below tents. The owner of the cattle farm named Shah Zaman said that he used to sell his sacrificial animals in cattle market at Super Highway for last three years, but due to extra burden of expenses charged at make-shift cattle market at Super Highway, I have decided to sell my sacrificial animals here.
Upon asking, Zaman said that Rupees 1,800 were charged on single animal at the time of arrival in previous year, but now Rs 5,000 are being charged on single animal, adding that "we get the electricity through 'kunda system', previous year, but now Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) has installed commercial meters over there.
He further added that a single water tank was supplied at Rs 300 previous year, but now it is being provided at Rs 1,800. "These all things compelled me to install my cattle farm here at University Road for the facilities of the purchasers," he added.
Similarly, such type of make-shift cattle markets are also set up at Burns Road in the jurisdiction of Saddar Town and at 'Dak khana Stop' in the jurisdiction of Liaquatabad Town.
Surprisingly, upon asking, the owners of these make-shift cattle markets said that neither any official of town municipal administration, nor any official of CDGK has come to inquiry about such make-shift cattle markets. On one hand, the violation of City Administrator's directives certainly raised a question mark over the performance of the concerned officials, while on the other hand the said negligence has also shown the malafide intentions of towns and CDGK officials.
Sources said that along with officers of CDGK, police personnel of the respective areas are also involved in erecting illegal sacrificial animals' markets. Police allow farmers to set up their stalls in said markets after taking bribe from them. Moreover, all the traders in these cattle markets have also complained for shortage of water. They said that approximately Rs 500 is spent for purchasing water for the sacrificial animals.